1.0.0.1 Definition of Data Type & Field Properties

Data Type

Text
Text, number, or a combination up to 255 characters

Memo
Similar to the text field, can contain text, numbers, or a combination up to 2 GB of data.

Number
Numbers up to 16 bytes of data

Date/Time
Date and Time information

Currency
Currency up to 8 bytes and precise to 4 decimal places

AutoNumber
Access creates a unique number for each new record. This is often the primary key for the table

Yes/No
Yes and No, stored as -1 for yes and 0 for no

OLE Object
Images, documents, graphs up to 2 GB

Hyperlink
Web addresses

Attachment
Attachments such as images, spreadsheets, documents, and charts.

Field Properties


Field Size : The maximum number of character you can enter in the field. The largest maximum you can set is 255. Press F1 to hlp on field size

Caption : The label text that is displayed for this field by default in forms, reports, and queries. If this property is empty, the name of the field is used. Any text string is allowed.

Decimal Places : Specifies the number of decimal places to use when displaying numbers.

Default Value : Automatically assigns the specified value to this field when a new record is added.

Format : Determines the way that the field appears when it is displayed or printed in datasheets or in forms or reports that are bound to the field. You can use any valid number format. In most cases, you should set the Format value to Currency.

Indexed : Specifies whether the field has an index (index: A feature that speeds up searching and sorting in a table based on key values and can enforce uniqueness on the rows in a table. The primary key of a table is automatically indexed. Some fields can't be indexed because of their data type.). There are three available values:

Yes (No duplicates) : Creates a unique index on the field.
Yes (Duplicates OK) : Creates a non-unique index on the field.
No Removes any index on the field.

Input Mask : Displays editing characters to guide data entry. For example, an input mask might display a dollar sign ($) at the beginning of the field.

Required : Requires that data be entered in the field.

Smart Tags : Attaches a smart tag to the field.
Text Align Specifies the default alignment of text within a control.

Validation Rule : Supplies an expression that must be true whenever you add or change the value in this field. Use in conjunction with the Validation Text property.

Validation Text : Enter a message to display when a value that is entered violates the expression in the Validation Rule property.